Keratin-based hair straightening formulations, methods and systems

Abstract

The present invention teaches a hair straightening system including formulations that will safely and effectively straighten curly hair for at least 2-3 months after a single application, despite frequent washings of the hair. Methods for obtaining said formulations are disclosed. Hair straightening systems including shampoo and one or more conditioners are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for straightening a quantity of curly or frizzy hair, comprising:
 contacting the quantity of curly or frizzy hair with a hair straightening composition, wherein said hair straightening composition comprises; 
 (1) one or more organic acids selected from the group consisting of formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, tartaric acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, ascorbic acid, malonic acid, oxalic acid, pyruvic acid, picolinic acid, dipicolinic acid, citric acid, and combinations thereof; 
 (2) a keratin lysate; and 
 (3) one or more reducing agents selected from the group consisting of members of the thiazoline family, members of the 2-mercapto-ethane family, dithiothreitol (DTT), sulfamic acid, and combinations thereof, wherein (a) one or more of the organic acids reduce the pH of the hair straightening composition to a range from greater than or equal to 2.45 to less than 4.0, (b) one or more organic acids of the hair straightening composition reduce disulfide bonds of a curly or frizzy hair contacted with the hair straightening composition, and (c) the curly or frizzy hair maintains a straight configuration for at least two months after it has been heated and mechanically straightened before reverting to the natural curl configuration; 
 heating the curly or frizzy hair to a temperature between about 150° C. and 235° C.; and 
 mechanically straightening the curly or frizzy hair that is in contact with the hair straightening composition, so as to straighten the quantity of curly or frizzy hair, 
 wherein the hair straightening composition is substantially free of formaldehyde, monofunctional aldehydes, dialdehydes, polyfunctional aldehydes, ketoaldehydes or chemicals that release formaldehyde upon heating. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying to the quantity of curly or frizzy hair one or more substances selected from the group consisting of amino acids, botanicals, surfactants, emollients, emulsifiers, skin-cleaning agents, preservatives, fragrances, pre-conditioners, thermal protectants, and aqueous-based diluents. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the quantity of curly or frizzy hair is substantially dry when contacted with the hair straightening composition. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the quantity of curly or frizzy hair is wet when contacted with the hair straightening composition. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising washing the quantity of curly or frizzy hair with a shampoo no more than three hours prior to contacting the curly or frizzy hair with the hair straightening composition. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hair straightening composition further comprises one or more substances selected from the group consisting of amino acids, botanicals, surfactants, emollients, emulsifiers, skin-cleaning agents, preservatives, fragrances, pre-conditioners, thermal protectants, and aqueous-based diluents. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hair straightening composition further comprises a Lewis Acid catalyst. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hair straightening composition comprises one or more crosslinking agents comprising one or more substances selected from the group consisting of ketones, hydroxyketones, activated olefin-containing compounds, polycarboxylic acids, mono-epoxy compounds, poly-epoxy compounds, carbonates, imidoesters, carbodiimides, hexamethylene diisocyanate, N-hydroxysuccinimide esters, haloacetyls, pyridyl disulfide, hydrazides, aryl azides, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the quantity of the curly or frizzy hair is straightened with a straightening iron. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising blow drying the quantity of curly or frizzy hair. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hair straightening composition is a cream or a gel. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hair straightening composition further comprises one or more inorganic reducing agents. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hair straightening composition further comprises one or more reducing agents selected from the group consisting of naturally-occurring amino acids, non-naturally-occurring amino acids, tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP), tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine-HCl (TCEP-HCl), FeCl 2 , and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method for straightening a quantity of curly or frizzy hair is completed in about 40 to 120 minutes. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more of the organic acids that reduce the pH of the hair straightening composition to a range from greater than or equal to 2.45 to less than 4.0 is provided in a range of 0.25 to 2 wt. %, based on the entire weight of the composition and the reducing agent is provided in a range of 0.2 to 2 wt. %, based on the entire weight of the composition.